Jack Blake Hall Jr.

Jack Blake Hall, Jr., 84, of Logansport, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023 after a battle with abdominal and spinal cancer.   

Blake was the firstborn to Jack Blake Hall, Sr. and Blanche Louise Becker Hall in Dallas, Texas on July 19, 1938. He was graduated from South Oak Cliff High School, Dallas, Texas in 1955. Those who knew Blake throughout his life will not be surprised to learn that he was the Senior Class President, voted “Most Popular Boy” for multiple years, lettered in Basketball for 3 years and, being too short to play at only 5’7” in high school, he served as the basketball team’s manager for 3 years. After graduation, Blake studied briefly at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. 

Blake grew up in Dallas surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and myriad cousins; all of whom remained as if they were extended siblings throughout their lives. He was a natural raconteur and storyteller and developed a gift for public speaking from an early age. He was never able to resist sharing terrible puns or bad “Dad Jokes;” the more excruciating for his children, the better. Blake read voraciously, rooted for the Dallas Cowboys his entire life, and there wasn’t a John Wayne movie he couldn’t quote. He loved travelling throughout the world and across the 48 contiguous United States and was always ready for a road trip to anywhere.  He regretted to the very end that he didn’t make it to Alaska and Hawaii.  

Blake was a lifelong history enthusiast; especially of the U.S. Civil War and WWII, and a passionate student of theology and Bible scripture. From his late-30s onwards, Blake was an oft-requested guest speaker at churches and gatherings throughout the country. 

Blake specialized in sales for most of his working career: in insurance, retail, for Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages and BellSouth Corporation, and most notably as a dedicated Literature Evangelist for the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. After retirement, God fulfilled Blake’s long-held dream of serving as a minister of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Blake served faithfully as Senior Pastor for the Kokomo, Logansport, and Monticello Seventh-Day Adventist Churches in the Indiana Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists. 

Blake is survived by his cherished wife, Gina Bowen Hall; his children, Wade (Lori Kay) Hall, Kenya (Mark) Ballard, Brandeis C. Hall, stepdaughter Kellie Van Der Veen; 9 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. 

Blake was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Blake Hall, Sr. and Blanch Louise Becker Hall, and by his sister, Joyce Laverne Garrett. 

A memorial service celebrating Blake's life will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Monticello Seventh-Day Adventist Church, located at 11407 W. 1158 N., in Monticello, with Pastor Vic Van Schaik officiating.

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hall family in their time of need. Please feel free to leave an online condolence or share a special memory of Blake with his family on his tribute wall.  

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